Ilia Topuria likely had a good laugh watching Justin Gaethje face Paddy Pimblett. Merab Dvalishvili offered a pointed assessment of the interim lightweight championship bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, weighing in with thoughts about how Ilia Topuria would perceive the fight. The Georgian fighter’s commentary highlighted a stark contrast in boxing quality between the main event competitors and the current lightweight champion.
Merab Dvalishvili Says Ilia Topuria Laughing at Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett Fight Due to Poor Boxing Technique
Gaethje claimed the interim title through a unanimous decision victory over Pimblett on January 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. The bout went the full five rounds, with judges scoring the fight 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 in the American’s favor. Throughout the contest, both fighters exchanged heavy strikes and grappling exchanges, with Gaethje landing powerful shots from range while Pimblett displayed resilience despite multiple knockdowns. The fight showcased intensity, but Merab saw it through a different lens when considering Topuria’s technical abilities.
“Ilia is laughing now because they have like dirty boxing. There is no good technique. Ilia will laugh about this because he has such high level boxing,” Merab stated after witnessing the bout.
Topuria has built his reputation on crisp striking fundamentals combined with constant forward pressure. His boxing draws inspiration from Mexican-style striking, particularly the approach of Canelo Álvarez, which he has adapted for MMA competition. Topuria sets powerful combinations through body work before targeting the head, using hard shots to force opponents into defensive positions before delivering finishing strikes. His technical footwork and distance management operate at a level that separates him from fighters who rely primarily on output and aggression.
Gaethje will eventually face Topuria for the undisputed lightweight championship later in 2026 after the Georgian returns from personal matters that caused him to step away in November. The interim title fight with Pimblett positioned Gaethje as the mandatory challenger, and Merab’s comments suggested he believes the gap in technical execution between the fighters will prove decisive when Topuria returns to competition.
Merab and Topuria maintain mutual respect despite competing in different weight classes, with the Georgian bantamweight having recently sparred with the champion. Their relationship extends beyond competition, as both are from Georgia and have trained together in various capacities. Merab’s assessment of the Gaethje-Pimblett fight appeared to reflect genuine observation rather than dismissal, pointing instead to the specialized technical demands that define championship-level lightweight competition.
